BURGLARIES in west Suffolk have decreased by more than 10 per cent according to the latest crime statistics.The cut in burglaries – from 464 between April and November 2002, to 420 during the same period this year - is being cited as one of the reasons why Suffolk is now proclaiming itself as the safest county in England.

BURGLARIES in west Suffolk have decreased by more than 10 per cent according to the latest crime statistics.

The cut in burglaries – from 464 between April and November 2002, to 420 during the same period this year - is being cited as one of the reasons why Suffolk is now proclaiming itself as the safest county in England.

The force has pledged to become the safest in England and Wales by 2006, and rates for burglary, vehicle crime, criminal damage, violent crime and disorder are among the factors which count.

After West Suffolk's area commander, chief superintendent Mick Green said: "We are the safest county in the country, crime manager Andy Henwood explained some of the reasons why.

He said targets set by the Home Office to cut these crimes, got more challenging every year, but added: "These figures show that there are 44 fewer victims of burglary than there were last year."

Police have run campaigns to remind people that 50 per cent of burglaries are avoidable, and happen when they leave doors or windows open.

Older people are particularly vulnerable to being distracted at their front door while a criminal ransacks inside, or being conned into letting a stranger into the home. Mr Henwood had heard of some residents refusing to let unwanted visitors in, and one elderly woman kicking a caller in the shins.

Vehicle crime in west Suffolk is also down, by 32 per cent compared to two years ago. There were 298 fewer victims of vehicle crime between April and November, than during the same period last year, which Mr Henwood called an 'incredible reduction.'